U.S. patent application number 15/513481 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-26 for body structure of vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Akira IYOSHI, Keizo KAWASAKI, Takeshi NAKAMURA.
Application Number | 20170305469 15/513481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58099973 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170305469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IYOSHI; Akira ; et
al. |
October 26, 2017 |
BODY STRUCTURE OF VEHICLE
Abstract
A body structure of a vehicle includes a first panel and a
second panel that form a closed cross-sectional portion, a
partitioning panel that partitions the closed cross-sectional
portion, and a reinforcement member disposed between the first
panel and the partitioning panel, and includes a panel joining
portion joined to the first panel, and a flange portion joined to
the partitioning panel. A joining portion formed by the
reinforcement member includes a rigid coupling portion in which the
first panel and the panel joining portion are coupled to each other
while being in contact with each other, and a flexible coupling
portion in which the partitioning panel and the flange portion are
coupled, with a damping member being provided therebetween. The
partitioning panel includes an extended portion that extends from a
vicinity of the flexible coupling portion toward the second panel
and is joined to the second panel.
Inventors: |
IYOSHI; Akira;
(Hiroshima-shi, JP) ; KAWASAKI; Keizo;
(Hiroshima-shi, JP) ; NAKAMURA; Takeshi;
(Hiroshima-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION |
Hiroshima |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
Hiroshima
JP
|
Family ID: |
58099973 |
Appl. No.: |
15/513481 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
August 15, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2016/073835 |
371 Date: |
March 22, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 27/023 20130101;
B62D 25/025 20130101; B62D 25/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62D 25/02 20060101
B62D025/02; B62D 25/04 20060101 B62D025/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 24, 2015 |
JP |
2015-165123 |
Claims
1. A body structure of a vehicle, the structure comprising: a first
panel and a second panel that form a closed cross-sectional portion
extending in a predetermined direction; a partitioning panel that
partitions the closed cross-sectional portion and extends in the
predetermined direction; and a reinforcement member that is
disposed between the first panel and the partitioning panel in the
closed cross-sectional portion, and includes a panel joining
portion joined to the first panel and a flange portion joined to
the partitioning panel, wherein a joining portion formed by the
reinforcement member includes: a rigid coupling portion in which
the first panel and the panel joining portion are coupled to each
other while being in contact with each other; and a flexible
coupling portion in which the partitioning panel and the flange
portion are coupled to each other, with a damping member being
provided therebetween, and the partitioning panel includes an
extended portion that extends from a vicinity of the flexible
coupling portion toward the second panel and is joined to the
second panel.
2. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a
joining portion formed by the extended portion together with the
second panel is a rigid coupling portion in which a part of the
extended portion and the second panel are coupled to each other
while being in contact with each other.
3. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the partitioning panel has an end portion in the predetermined
direction, the flange portion is joined to the partitioning panel
near the end portion, and the extended portion includes: an
extended main body portion extending from the end portion toward
the second panel; and an extended joining portion that is formed at
an end edge of the extended main body portion and is joined to the
second panel.
4. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein
the extended main body portion has a flat-plate shape, the
reinforcement member includes a reinforcement main body portion
having a flat-plate shape that extends between the panel joining
portion and the flange portion, and the reinforcement member and
the extended portion are arranged in such a manner that the
extended main body portion and the reinforcement main body portion
are linearly arranged between the first panel and the second
panel.
5. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein
the extended main body portion and the reinforcement main body
portion extend orthogonal to the partitioning panel.
6. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the first panel is a side sill inner, the second panel is a side
sill outer reinforcer, and the partitioning panel is a center
pillar inner, and the extended portion is joined to the side sill
outer reinforcer.
7. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein
the partitioning panel has an end portion in the predetermined
direction, the flange portion is joined to the partitioning panel
near the end portion, and the extended portion includes: an
extended main body portion extending from the end portion toward
the second panel; and an extended joining portion that is formed at
an end edge of the extended main body portion and is joined to the
second panel.
8. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein
the extended main body portion has a flat-plate shape, the
reinforcement member includes a reinforcement main body portion
having a flat-plate shape that extends between the panel joining
portion and the flange portion, and the reinforcement member and
the extended portion are arranged in such a manner that the
extended main body portion and the reinforcement main body portion
are linearly arranged between the first panel and the second
panel.
9. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein
the extended main body portion and the reinforcement main body
portion extend orthogonal to the partitioning panel.
10. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein
the first panel is a side sill inner, the second panel is a side
sill outer reinforcer, and the partitioning panel is a center
pillar inner, and the extended portion is joined to the side sill
outer reinforcer.
11. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein
the first panel is a side sill inner, the second panel is a side
sill outer reinforcer, and the partitioning panel is a center
pillar inner, and the extended portion is joined to the side sill
outer reinforcer.
12. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein
the first panel is a side sill inner, the second panel is a side
sill outer reinforcer, and the partitioning panel is a center
pillar inner, and the extended portion is joined to the side sill
outer reinforcer.
13. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein
the first panel is a side sill inner, the second panel is a side
sill outer reinforcer, and the partitioning panel is a center
pillar inner, and the extended portion is joined to the side sill
outer reinforcer.
14. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein
the first panel is a side sill inner, the second panel is a side
sill outer reinforcer, and the partitioning panel is a center
pillar inner, and the extended portion is joined to the side sill
outer reinforcer.
15. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein
the first panel is a side sill inner, the second panel is a side
sill outer reinforcer, and the partitioning panel is a center
pillar inner, and the extended portion is joined to the side sill
outer reinforcer.
16. The body structure of a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein
the first panel is a side sill inner, the second panel is a side
sill outer reinforcer, and the partitioning panel is a center
pillar inner, and the extended portion is joined to the side sill
outer reinforcer.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a body structure of a
vehicle, and particularly relates to a vehicle-body structure in a
portion including a panel forming a closed cross-sectional portion
and a partitioning panel disposed in the closed cross-sectional
portion.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Vehicles such as an automobile requires a vehicle structure
with which transmission of vibrations, generated in various
portions of the vehicle, into a vehicle cabin is suppressed as much
as possible, to achieve a favorable riding comfort felt by a
passenger. To satisfy the requirement, the present applicant has
proposed techniques of achieving a sophisticated joining mode
between a bulkhead (reinforcement member), disposed in a frame
forming a closed section, and the frame in Patent Literature 1, 2,
and 3. The joining mode features the frame provided with: a rigid
coupling portion in which the frame and the bulkhead are coupled
with each other while being in contact with each other; and a
flexible coupling portion in which the frame and the bulkhead are
coupled to each other with a damping member in between.
[0003] The vehicle includes a portion having a partitioned closed
section structure, and including: two panels (frames) forming a
closed section extending in a predetermined direction; and a
partitioning panel that is disposed in the closed section and
extends in the predetermined direction. Patent Literature 3
discloses a vehicle-body structure obtained with a bulkhead,
including the rigid coupling portion and the flexible coupling
portion, incorporated in the portion having the partitioned closed
section structure described above.
[0004] For example, the partitioned closed section structure is
employed in a coupling portion between a center pillar and a side
sill, or the like. The coupling portion involves an especially high
requirement for suppressing deformation and vibration of the closed
section portion due to vibration of the vehicle.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2013-49375
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2013-49376
Patent Literature 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2013-49378
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] As object of the present invention is to provide a body
structure of vehicle with which in a vehicle-body portion having a
partitioned closed section structure, a damping member can provide
an effective vibration damping effect, with deformation of a closed
cross-sectional portion prevented.
[0006] A body structure of a vehicle according to one aspect of the
present invention includes a first panel and a second panel that
form a closed cross-sectional portion extending in a predetermined
direction, a partitioning panel that partitions the closed
cross-sectional portion and extends in the predetermined direction,
and a reinforcement member that is disposed between the first panel
and the partitioning panel in the closed cross-sectional portion,
and includes a panel joining portion joined to the first panel, and
a flange portion joined to the partitioning panel. A joining
portion formed by the reinforcement member includes a rigid
coupling portion in which the first panel and the panel joining
portion are coupled to each other while being in contact with each
other, and a flexible coupling portion in which the partitioning
panel and the flange portion are coupled to each other, with a
damping member being provided therebetween. The partitioning panel
includes an extended portion that extends from a vicinity of the
flexible coupling portion toward the second panel and is joined to
the second panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a body
of a vehicle employing the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line
II-II in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling portion
between a side sill and a center pillar as viewed in a vehicle
width direction.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of the coupling portion between the
side sill and the center pillar of the vehicle-body as viewed from
the vehicle outer side of the vehicle, and illustrates a state
where a side frame outer is removed.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a state where a center
pillar outer reinforcer is removed from the state illustrated in
FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the coupling portion
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in
FIG. 6.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a
side sill outer reinforcer is removed from the state illustrated in
FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a
center pillar inner is removed from the state illustrated in FIG.
8.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bulkhead disposed in a
closed cross-sectional portion of the side sill.
[0017] FIG. 11A is a side view of the bulkhead, and FIG. 11B is an
upper view of the bulkhead.
[0018] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 3,
illustrating an arranged state of the bulkhead and an extended
portion.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling portion
between the side sill and the center pillar according to a
modification, in the vehicle width direction.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0020] An embodiment of the present invention is described in
detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0021] [Overall Description of Vehicle-Body]
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a
vehicle-body 1 of a vehicle employing the present invention. The
figure includes a "front" arrow indicating a front side, and a
"rear" arrow indicating a rear side. The "front" and the "rear"
arrows and the other like arrows in other figures are based on the
front and rear of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0023] The vehicle-body 1 includes a side frame 10 forming each of
left and right side surfaces of the vehicle. FIG. 1 illustrates the
side frame 10 only on one side surface. The side frame 10 includes:
a side frame outer 100 serving as an exterior of a side surface
portion of the vehicle as well as a roof rail 11, a front pillar
12, a center pillar 13, a rear pillar 14, and a side sill 15 on a
vehicle inner side of the side frame outer 100.
[0024] The side frame outer 100 is a plate member obtained by
performing press molding in such a manner that a single steel plate
is molded into a predetermined shape with front and rear door
openings punched out. An outer surface of the side frame outer 100
serves as an exterior coated surface of the vehicle. The roof rail
11 in an upper portion of the vehicle and the side sill 15 on a
lower side of the vehicle each extend in a front and rear direction
of the vehicle. The front pillar 12, the rear pillar 14 and the
center pillar 13, respectively on the front side, the rear side,
and at a portion around the center in the front and rear direction,
each couple the roof rail 11 and the side sill 15 to each other in
an upper and lower direction.
[0025] The side sill 15, extending in the front and rear direction
(predetermined direction), and the center pillar 13, extending in
the upper and lower direction, form a coupling portion J in a mode
in which a substantially T-shaped intersection is defined with a
lower end portion of the center pillar 13 coupled to the
intermediate portion of the side sill 15 in the front and rear
direction. The present embodiment is an example in which the body
structure of vehicle according to the present invention is applied
to the coupling portion J.
[0026] A plurality of reinforcements (hereinafter, simply referred
to as "reinforcer" in this specification) and headers, extending in
a vehicle width direction, are provided between the roof rail 11 of
the one side frame 10 and a roof rail (not illustrated) of the
other side frame. In the present embodiment, a roof reinforcer 16
is provided at a disposed position of the center pillar 13, and
three roof reinforcers 173, 174, and 175 are provided on front and
rear sides thereof. A front header 171 and a rear header 172 are
respectively provided at portions further on the forward side and
the rear side of the vehicle. An unillustrated roof panel is
attached between the pair of side frames 10 in such a manner as to
cover the upper side of the roof reinforcers 173 to 175 and the
headers 171 and 172. A plurality of cross members are provided
between the one side sill 15 and the other side sill (not
illustrated). In FIG. 1, only the cross member 18 provided at the
coupling portion J is illustrated.
[0027] [Structure of Coupling Portion J]
[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line
II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the
coupling portion J between the side sill 15 and the center pillar
13 as viewed in the vehicle width direction. The side frame outer
100 covers a vehicle outer side of the coupling portion J. A floor
panel 102 covers a bottom portion on a vehicle inner side of the
coupling portion J, that is, in a vehicle cabin. The cross member
18 and a sheet bracket 103, as a component thereof, are disposed on
the floor panel 102. In a closed cross-sectional portion of the
side sill 15 at the coupling portion J, a bulkhead 2 (reinforcing
member) and an extended portion 3 integrated with a component of
the center pillar 13 are disposed. Each component is described
below.
[0029] The side sill 15 is a vehicle-body rigid member with the
closed cross-sectional portion extending in the front and rear
direction (predetermined direction) and includes: a side sill outer
reinforcer 151 (second panel) having a substantially square
U-shaped cross-sectional shape; and a side sill inner 152 (first
panel) also having a substantially square-U shaped cross-sectional
shape. The side sill outer reinforcer 151 includes: a first side
plate 1511 substantially in parallel with an opening portion of the
square-U-shape; and a first upper plate 1512 and a first lower
plate 1513 extending in a vehicle inner side direction,
respectively from upper and lower edges of the first side plate
1511. A first upper flange portion 1514 and a first lower flange
portion 1515, with which other members are joined, are respectively
provided to opening side end edges of the first upper plate 1512
and the first lower plate 1513.
[0030] The side sill inner 152 includes: a second side plate 1521
substantially in parallel with an opening portion of the square
U-shape; and a second upper plate 1522 and a second lower plate
1523 respectively extending from an upper edge and a lower edge of
the second side plate 1521 in a vehicle outer direction. A second
upper flange portion 1524 and a second lower flange portion 1525,
with which other members are joined, are respectively provided to
opening side end edges of the second upper plate 1523 and the
second lower plate 1522.
[0031] The center pillar 13 is a vehicle-body rigid member, having
a closed cross-sectional extending in the upper and lower
direction, and includes: a center pillar outer reinforcer 131 on a
vehicle outer side; and a center pillar inner 132 on a vehicle
inner side. The center pillar outer reinforcer 131 and the center
pillar inner 132 each have end portions, in the front and rear
direction, provided with flange portions for butt joining and are
integrated with each other with the flange portions joined to each
other by spot welding.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a side view of the coupling portion J as viewed
from the vehicle outer side of the vehicle, and illustrates a state
where the side frame outer 100 is removed. FIG. 6 is an enlarged
perspective view of the coupling portion J in the state that is the
same as that in FIG. 4. The center pillar outer reinforcer 131
includes: an upper end portion 133 joined to the roof rail 11; and
a lower end portion 134 joined to the side sill 15 (side sill outer
reinforcer 151). The lower end portion 134 is a portion wider than
a main body portion of the center pillar outer reinforcer 131 in
the front and rear direction, and includes: a front end edge 134F
and a rear end edge 134B respectively provided on a front end and a
rear end of the wide portion. The lower end portion 134 is bent to
have an L shape in a cross section as viewed in the vehicle width
direction as illustrated in FIG. 2, and thus protrudes toward the
vehicle outer direction. The lower end portion 134 has an inner
surface in contact with an outer surface of the side sill outer
reinforcer 151 and is fixed to the first side plate 1511 by spot
welding.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a state where the center
pillar outer reinforcer 131 is removed from the state illustrated
in FIG. 4. The center pillar inner 132 is a substantially flat
plate-shaped member extending in the upper and lower direction, and
has a lower end provided with a partitioning plate portion 135
(partitioning panel) provided to the closed cross-sectional portion
of the side sill 15. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the partitioning
plate portion 135 partitions the closed cross-sectional portion of
the side sill 15 into a first closed cross-sectional portion C1 and
a second closed cross-sectional portion C2. The first closed
cross-sectional portion C1 is a space defined by the partitioning
plate portion 135 and the side sill inner 152, and the second
closed cross-sectional portion C2 is a space defined by the
partitioning plate portion 135 and the side sill outer reinforcer
151.
[0034] The side sill outer reinforcer 151 and the side sill inner
152 are joined to each other with the partitioning plate portion
135 provided between their butting surface portions. More
specifically, the first upper flange portion 1514 and the second
upper flange portion 1524 are butted and fixed to each other by
spot welding, with the upper end portion of the partitioning plate
portion 135 provided in between. The first lower flange portion
1515 and the second lower flange portion 1525 are butted to each
other with the lower end portion of the partitioning plate portion
135 provided in between, and are fixed together with the lower end
portion 101 of the side frame outer 100 by spot welding.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the partitioning plate portion 135
is a portion wider than the main body portion of the center pillar
inner 132 in the front and rear direction (predetermined
direction), and includes a front end edge 135F and a rear end edge
135B respectively at a front end and a rear end of the wider
portion. In a range between the front end edge 135F and the rear
end edge 135B, the closed cross-sectional portion of the side sill
15 is divided into the two closed cross-sectional portions C1 and
C2 extending in the front and rear direction. The extended portion
3, functioning as a reinforcement member for reinforcing the
rigidity the side sill 15, extends from each of the front end edge
135F and the rear end edge 135B. The extended portion 3 is provided
to each of the front and rear sides of the second closed
cross-sectional portion C2.
[0036] The bulkhead 2 is a reinforcement member that reinforces the
rigidity of the side sill 15 around the coupling portion J. FIG. 7
is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6, FIG.
8 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the side sill
outer reinforcer 151 is removed from the state illustrated in FIG.
5, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the
center pillar inner 132 is removed from the state illustrated in
FIG. 8. The bulkhead 2 is provided on each of the front and the
rear sides of the first closed cross-sectional portion C1.
[0037] The bulkhead 2 on the front side is disposed near the front
end edge 135F of the partitioning plate portion 135, and the
bulkhead 2 on the rear side is disposed near the rear end edge
135B. Thus, the bulkheads 2, near the front end edge 135F and the
rear end edge 135B, are disposed between the side sill inner 152
and the partitioning plate portion 135 and have joining portions
for these members. The extended portions 3 are formed by bending
extra length portions, extending from the front end edge 135F and
the rear end edge 135B in the front and rear direction, toward the
vehicle outer side, and have the joining portions for the side sill
outer reinforcer 151.
[0038] The bulkhead 2 includes: a joining portion 21 (panel joining
portion) joined to the side sill inner 152 (first panel); and a
flange portion 22 joined to the partitioning plate portion 135
(partitioning panel). The extended portions 3 are portions
integrated with the partitioning plate portion 135, and each
include: an extended main body portion 31 extending from the front
end edge 135F or the rear end edge 135B toward the vehicle outer
side (side sill outer reinforcer 151); and an extended joining
portion 32 formed at an end edge of the extended main body portion
31 and joined to the side sill outer reinforcer 151 (second
panel).
[0039] The joining portion formed of the bulkhead 2 includes: a
rigid coupling portion 2A where the side sill inner 152 and the
joining portion 21 are coupled to each other while being in contact
with each other; and a flexible coupling portion 2B in which the
partitioning plate portion 135 and the flange portion 22 are
coupled to each other with a damping member 4 provided in between.
The extended joining portion 32 of the extended portion 3 forms a
joining portion as a rigid coupling portion 3A.
[0040] [Detail Description on Bulkhead]
[0041] Next, the bulkhead 2 is described in detail. FIG. 10 is a
perspective view of the bulkhead 2, FIG. 11A is a side view of the
bulkhead 2, and FIG. 11B is an upper view thereof. The bulkhead,
which is also referred to as a bamboo-joint member, and is a member
formed by performing a punching and bending process and the other
like processes on a plate material having an excellent rigidity
such as a steel material.
[0042] The bulkhead 2 includes: a reinforcement main body portion
20 formed of a flat plate-shaped portion having a substantially
trapezoidal shape; and the joining portion 21 and the flange
portion 22 described above. The reinforcement main body portion 20
extends between the joining portion 21 and the flange portion 22.
Here, four connection pieces, including a first connection piece
211, a second connection piece 212, a third connection piece 213,
and a fourth connection piece 214, are provided as the joining
portion 21. A first ridge portion 201 and a second ridge portion
202, formed by a bending process, are on an outer circumference
edge of the reinforcement main body portion 20. The second ridge
portion 202 is a linear ridge line along the lower base side of the
reinforcement main body portion 20 having the trapezoidal shape,
and the first ridge portion 201 is a square U-shaped ridge portion
extending along sides other than the lower base side.
[0043] The first to the fourth connection pieces 211 to 214 are
raised portions that are bent forward and continue from the first
ridge portion 201, and each independently have a shape of a tongue
piece. The pieces are bent by substantially 90.degree. with respect
to the reinforcement main body portion 20 to be raised. The first
to the fourth connection pieces 211 to 214 are portions forming and
the rigid coupling portion 2A with the side sill inner 152, and
have a size large enough to perform spot welding. The flange
portion 22 is a portion that is raised by similarly being bent
rearward by substantially 90.degree. with respect to the
reinforcement main body portion 20 to be raised and continues from
the second ridge portion 202. The flange portion 22 is a portion
forming the flexible coupling portion 2B with the partitioning
plate portion 135, and has a size large enough to hold the damping
member 4 of a sufficient size. A step portion 221, extending in the
front and rear direction, is formed on the flange portion 22 for
improving the rigidity of the flange portion 22.
[0044] The reinforcement main body portion 20 is a portion
functioning as a partitioning surface portion that partitions the
first closed cross-sectional portion C1, defined by the
partitioning plate portion 135 and the side sill inner 152, in the
front and rear direction. Specifically, the reinforcement main body
portion 20 forms a surface, extending in a direction substantially
orthogonal to the direction in which the first closed
cross-sectional portion C1 extends, in the first closed
cross-sectional portion C1. Thus, the bulkheads 2 incorporated can
improve the resistance against deformation force that crushes the
first closed cross-sectional portion C1, that is, crushing
deformation force of causing the side sill inner 152 and the
partitioning plate portion 135 approach each other.
[0045] A raising process portion 23 is provided at the center of
the reinforcement main body portion 20, and has a shape
substantially similar to an outer shape of the reinforcement main
body portion 20. The raising process portion 23 is a flat
plate-shaped portion protruding rearward from a peripheral portion
203 in the reinforcement main body portion 20. In the raising
process portion 23, a circular hole 24 and an elongated hole 25
that are two through holes perforated in the front and rear
direction to be arranged side by side in the upper and lower
direction.
[0046] The circular hole 24 and the elongated hole 25 are holes
with various functions. The holes have: a first function to serve
as holes through which a fluid flows in the front and rear
direction at the disposed position of the bulkhead 2; a second
function to serve as process reference holes when the bulkhead 2 is
formed by performing the bending process on a metal plate; and a
third function to serve as positioning holes for assembling the
bulkhead 2 in the first closed cross-sectional portion C1. When the
first function is exerted, the circular hole 24 and the elongated
hole 25 are mainly used for passage holes with which an
electrodeposition solution is entirely provided in the side sill
15, for performing electrodeposition coating on the vehicle-body 1
with an antirust agent. When the second or the third function is
exerted, for example, the circular hole 24 is used as a fixing hole
for the process or positioning, and the elongated hole 25 is used
as a relief hole.
[0047] The first function will be described. As described above,
the reinforcement main body portion 20 functions as the
partitioning surface portion for partitioning the first closed
cross-sectional portion C1. Thus, the reinforcement main body
portion 20 closes the closed cross-sectional portion C1 of the side
sill 15 extending in the front and rear direction. One of
manufacturing steps for the vehicle-body 1 is a step of performing,
after the vehicle-body 1 has been assembled, the electrodeposition
coating on the vehicle-body 1 with the antirust agent, and the step
involves dipping the vehicle-body 1 in the electrodeposition
solution. When the reinforcement main body portion 20 is closing
the first closed cross-sectional portion C1 in this process, the
electrodeposition solution might fail to favorably spread over the
inner surface of the side sill 15 (the inner surface of the side
sill inner 152 and one surface of the partitioning plate portion
135). With the circular hole 24 and the elongated hole 25 formed,
the electrodeposition solution can flow through the circular hole
24 and the elongated hole 25, to achieve favorable
electrodeposition coating.
[0048] A raised ridge portion 26, formed by the raising process, is
formed at a boundary between the peripheral portion 203 of the
reinforcement main body portion 20 and the raising process portion
23. The raised ridge portion 26 includes a linear portion 27
extending, along the extending direction of the flange portion 22,
at a portion between the flange portion 22 and the circular hole 24
and the elongated hole 25. The raised ridge portion 26 functions as
a high rigidity portion for reinforcing the rigidity of the
reinforcement main body portion 20 that is likely to be brittle,
due to the circular hole 24 and the elongated hole 25 perforated.
In particular, the linear portion 27 contributes to the improvement
of the rigidity of the flange portion 22.
[0049] How the joining portion 21, forming the rigid coupling
portion 2A, is joined to the side sill inner 152 is described by
further referring to FIG. 2. The first connection piece 211 and the
second connection piece 212 of the joining portion 21 are brought
into contact with the inner surface of the second upper plate 1522
of the side sill inner 152, and are each fixed to the second upper
plate 1522 by spot welding. The third connection piece 213 and the
fourth connection piece 214 are brought into contact with and fixed
by spot welding to the second side plate 1521 and the second lower
plate 1523, respectively.
[0050] The flange portion 22 is a portion facing a surface of the
partitioning plate portion 135 of the center pillar inner 132 on
the vehicle inner side. The flange portion 22 according to the
present embodiment has a rectangular shape elongated in the upper
and lower direction in side view as illustrated in FIG. 11A, and
has a shape slightly curved toward the vehicle inner side in upper
view as illustrated in FIG. 11B. The step portion 221 linearly
extends in the front and rear direction at a portion around the
center of the first flange portion 22 in the upper and lower
direction.
[0051] The flange portion 22 includes: a first surface 22X facing
the partitioning plate portion 135; and a second surface 22Y on the
opposite side thereof. The first surface 22X serves as a joining
area, to be in contact with the damping member 4, in the flexible
coupling portion 2B. Specifically, the first surface 22X faces the
surface of the partitioning plate portion 135 on the vehicle inner
side with a gap of a predetermined distance in between, and the
damping member 4 is provided in the gap. In other words, the flange
portion 22 and the partitioning plate portion 135 are joined to
each other with the damping member 4 provided in between.
[0052] As described above, the rigid coupling portion 2A in the
mode according to the present embodiment has the four connection
pieces 211 to 214, as the joining portion 21, to be spot welded on
the side sill inner 152. The number of the connection piece, that
is, the number of spot welded portions are merely an example, and
can be set as appropriate in accordance with the shape and the like
of the side sill inner 152. The first ridge portion 201 may be
welded onto the side sill inner 152, without no connection pieces
formed for the rigid coupling portion.
[0053] The rigid coupling portion 2A can be formed with a method
other than the spot welding, and a mechanical coupling portion
using a bolt, a nut, or the like may be employed for example. In
such a case, holes in which bolts are inserted are perforated in
the first to the fourth connection pieces 211 to 214 and the side
sill inner 152. Alternatively, the rigid coupling portion 2A may be
a welded portion using an adhesive. In such a case, the adhesive
may be an adhesive generally used in welding for the vehicle body.
For example, an adhesive with storage modulus of 2000 MPa or more
and a loss factor of 0.05 or less, under a condition with a
temperature of 20.degree. C. and an exciting force frequency of 30
Hz, may be favorably used.
[0054] The damping member 4 forming the flexible coupling portion
2B is a member having a vibration damping capability. The damping
member 4 is not particularly limited as long as the member has a
predetermined viscoelasticity, and may be a viscoelastic member
made of a silicone material or an acrylic material. A viscoelastic
member, with a property including storage modulus of 500 MPa or
less or a loss factor of 0.2 or more under the condition with a
temperature of 20.degree. C. and an exciting force frequency of 30
Hz, is preferable because vibration transmission can be effectively
suppressed. The damping member 4 formed of such a viscoelastic
member damps vibration by absorbing vibrational energy as strain
energy and converting the energy into thermal energy to be
dissipated.
[0055] How the damping member 4 is arranged on the first surface
22X of the flange portion 22 is not particularly limited. For
example, a layer of the damping member 4 may be formed by applying
the viscoelastic member in a paste form on the flange portion 22 to
be in a predetermined thickness. Alternatively, a bulk piece may be
prepared as the damping member 4 and attached to the flange portion
22. The flange portion 22 may be divided into a plurality of
pieces, as in the case of the joining portion 21, and in such a
case, a layer serving as the damping member 4 is formed on each of
the divided pieces of the flange portion 22.
[0056] As describe above, the vehicle-body 1 is coated with the
antirust agent by electrodeposition. After this electrodeposition
coating step, the vehicle-body 1 is introduced into a furnace, and
a drying step of heating the vehicle-body 1 is performed at a
predetermined temperature for a predetermined period, to dry the
antirust agent layer. The heat in the drying step is preferably
used for fixing the damping member 4. Specifically, the
viscoelastic member in the paste form is applied on the flange
portion 22 as described above before the electrodeposition coating
step, and thus the bulkhead 2 supporting the application layer to
serve as the damping member 4 in advance is rigidly coupled to the
side sill inner 152 (spot welding). Then, the heat applied to the
vehicle-body 1 in the drying step is preferably used to fix the
application layer to the partitioning plate portion 135.
[0057] As described above, in the bulkhead 2, the reinforcement
main body portion 20 is disposed to be the partition surface in the
first closed cross-sectional portion C1, the joining portion 21
thereof form the rigid coupling portion 2A with the side sill inner
152, the flange portion 22 forms the flexible coupling portion 2B
with the partitioning plate portion 135 of the center pillar inner
132 and the damping member 4. With this configuration, the first
closed cross-sectional portion C1 has a higher deformation
resistance and the side sill 15 has a higher rigidity. Furthermore,
the stress generated by the vibrations of the vehicle is
concentrated on the flexible coupling portion 2B that is
deformable, and the damping member 4 damps the vibrations.
[0058] The bulkhead 2 has the raised ridge portion 26 on the
reinforcement main body portion 20 and the step portion 221 on the
flange portion 22 to have a higher rigidity. The raised ridge
portion 26 improves the rigidity of the reinforcement main body
portion 20 including the circular hole 24 and the elongated hole 25
that need to be perforated due to the various reasons. The step
portion 221 improves the rigidity of the flange portion 22 having a
strip shape elongated in the upper and lower direction. Thus, the
bulkhead 2 has a higher rigidity to have an improved reinforcement
capability for the first closed cross-sectional portion C1.
[0059] When the rigidity of the bulkhead 2 is improved, the
difference between the bulkhead 2 and the damping member 4 in the
rigidity increases, whereby the vibration generated on the
vehicle-body 1 is even more concentrated on the damping member 4.
For example, when the bulkhead 2 has a low rigidity under a
condition that the reinforcement main body portion 20 is brittle
due to the circular hole 24 and the elongated hole 25 perforated
and thus is relatively easily bent, the vibrational stress due to
the vibration applied to the bulkhead 2 is not completely
transmitted to the damping member 4, and the vibrational stress is
partially consumed for the bending deformation. Thus, the vibration
damping effect of the damping member 4 is compromised. In view of
this, in the present embodiment, the rigidity of the bulkhead 2 is
increased around the damping member 4 with the raised ridge portion
26, that is, with the linear portion 27 and the step portion 221 in
particular, whereby the vibrational stress can be transmitted to
the damping member 4 with no losses. All things considered, the
vibration damping effect of the damping member 4 can be further
increased.
[0060] [Detail Description on Extended Portion]
[0061] Next, the extended portion 3 will be described. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the extended portion 3,
which is a portion integrally provided to the partitioning plate
portion 135, is provided to the second closed cross-sectional
portion C2 and includes the extended main body portion 31 and the
extended joining portion 32. The extended portion 3 is a portion
formed by performing the bending process on the extra length
portion, extending from each of the front end edge 135F and the
rear end edge 135B, additionally provided to the partitioning plate
portion 135 of the center pillar inner 132 with an actually
required length (the length between the front end edge 135F and the
rear end edge 135B).
[0062] The extended main body portion 31 is a flat plate-shaped
portion raised by being bent from the partitioning plate portion
135 extending in the front and rear direction, to extend toward the
side sill outer reinforcer 151 from the front end edge 135F or the
rear end edge 135B. The extended main body portion 31 is raised by
being bent by approximately 90.degree. with respect to the
partitioning plate portion 135 of the extended main body portion
31. The extended joining portion 32 is a portion formed by bending
an end edge portion of the extended main body portion 31 on the
vehicle outer side by approximately 90.degree.. The extended
portion 3 on the front side has the extended joining portion 32
bent toward the front side, and the extended portion 3 on the rear
side has the extended joining portion 32 bent toward the rear
side.
[0063] The extended main body portion 31 is a portion that
functions as the partitioning surface portion that partitions the
second closed cross-sectional portion C2, including the
partitioning plate portion 135 and the side sill outer reinforcer
151, in the front and rear direction. Thus, the extended main body
portion 31 has a size corresponding to the cross section of the
second closed cross-sectional portion C2. A hole 33 is perforated
in the extended main body portion 31. The hole 33 is a hole
perforated mainly for enabling the electrodeposition solution to
flow in the second closed cross-sectional portion C2 in the
electrodeposition coating process described above.
[0064] The extended joining portion 32 is a portion forming the
rigid coupling portion 3A with the side sill outer reinforcer 151.
The extended joining portion 32 is brought into contact with a
bulging portion in the first side plate 1511 of the side sill outer
reinforcer 151 bulging in the vehicle inner direction, and is fixed
to the first side plate 1511 by spot welding. Another extended
joining portion, forming the rigid coupling portion with the first
upper plate 1512 and/or the first lower plate 1513 of the side sill
outer reinforcer 151, may extend on the circumference edge of the
extended main body portion 31. The extended main body portion 31
has a vehicle inner side end edge continuing from the front end
edge 135F or the rear end edge 135B of the partitioning plate
portion 135. Thus, a portion of the vehicle inner side end edge may
also be regarded as a portion substantially forming the rigid
coupling portion between the extended portion 3 and the
partitioning plate portion 135.
[0065] As described above, the extended portion 3 has the extended
main body portion 31 provided to serve as the partition surface for
the second closed cross-sectional portion C2, and has the extended
joining portion 32 forming the rigid coupling portion 3A with the
side sill outer reinforcer 151. The extended portion 3 is a portion
integrated with the partitioning plate portion 135, and can be
regarded as substantially forming the rigid coupling portion with
the partitioning plate portion 135. The extended portion 3 with the
configuration described above can improve the deformation
resistance of the second closed cross-sectional portion C2. Thus,
the reinforcement for the second closed cross-sectional portion C2
by the extended portion 3 and the reinforcement for the first
closed cross-sectional portion C1 by the bulkhead 2 are combined to
increase the rigidity of the side sill 15 having a partitioned
closed section structure obtained by the partitioning plate portion
135 extending in the front and rear direction.
[0066] The extended portion 3 extends toward the side sill outer
reinforcer 151 and forms the rigid coupling portion 3A with the
side sill outer reinforcer 151, in the vicinity (the front end edge
135F or the rear end edge 135B) of the flexible coupling portion 2B
formed by the bulkhead 2. Thus, the stress generated by the
vibration of the vehicle is concentrated on the flexible coupling
portion 2B that is deformable, whereby the vibrations are
effectively damped by the damping member 4.
[0067] The extended portion 3 includes: the extended main body
portion 31 extending toward the side sill outer reinforcer 151 from
the front end edge 135F or the rear end edge 135B; and the extended
joining portion 32 at the end edge thereof. Thus, the extended
portion 3 can be integrally formed with the partitioning plate
portion 135 easily, through a simple bending process and the like
on the partitioning plate portion 135.
[0068] [Description on Arrangement of Bulkhead and Extended
Portion]
[0069] Next, an arrangement relationship between the bulkhead 2 and
the extended portion 3 will be described. FIG. 12 is an enlarged
view of the bulkhead 2 and the extended portion 3 on the front side
in FIG. 3. The members are characteristically arranged in that, the
flat plate-shaped reinforcement main body portion 20 of the
bulkhead 2 and the flat plate-shaped extended main body portion 31
of the extended portion 3 are linearly arranged between the side
sill outer reinforcer 151 and the side sill inner 152, as indicated
by an arrow L1 in the FIG. 12.
[0070] Specifically, the bulkhead 2 and the extended portion 3 are
arranged in such a manner that the second ridge portion 202 of the
bulkhead 2 and the front end edge 135F face each other in the
vehicle width direction with a space for arranging the damping
member 4 provided in between. The flange portion 22 of the bulkhead
2 faces the partitioning plate portion 135 around the front end
edge 135F. With such an arrangement of these members, the
reinforcement main body portion 20 and the extended main body
portion 31 are linearly arranged. The reinforcement main body
portion 20 and the extended main body portion 31 may be slightly
offset from each other in the front and rear direction. For
example, a mode may be employed in which the second ridge portion
202 is disposed at a position slightly on the rear side of the
front end edge 135F so that the flexible coupling portion 2B is
formed slightly on the rear side of the front end edge 135F.
[0071] The side sill 15 can have a higher mechanical strength with
the bulkhead 2 and the extended portion 3 arranged in such a manner
that the reinforcement main body portion 20 and the extended main
body portion 31 are linearly arranged. The side sill 15 has the
partitioned closed section structure including the first and the
second closed cross-sectional portions C1 and C2 arranged in the
vehicle width direction while being partitioned with the
partitioning plate portion 135 in the coupling portion J. The
closed section structure includes the main body portions of the
reinforcement main body portion 20 and the extended main body
portion 31 linearly arranged, and thus when pressing force in the
vehicle width direction acts on one of the main body portions, the
pressing force can be directly transmitted to the other one of the
main body portions. Thus, even higher mechanical strength with
respect to the direction in which the side sill outer reinforcer
151 and the side sill inner 152 approach each other, that is, the
deformation resistance against the side crash of the vehicle-body
1, can be achieved. The term linear indicates an arrangement the
two members (the reinforcement main body portion 20 and the
extended main body portion 31) along a straight line or a
substantially linear line, and is not limited to an arrangement of
the two members along the perfect straight line.
[0072] In the present embodiment, the reinforcement main body
portion 20 and the extended main body portion 31 each extend to be
orthogonal to the partitioning plate portion 135. Specifically, the
linear member including the reinforcement main body portion 20 and
the extended main body portion 31, as indicated by the arrow L1,
crosses the partitioning plate portion 135 with a crossing angle of
approximately 90.degree.. Thus, an even higher mechanical strength
can be achieved in the direction in which the side sill outer
reinforcer 151 and the side sill inner 152 approach each other. For
example, the side sill 15 illustrated in FIG. 2 has a
cross-sectional shape (partitioned closed section structure) with
two substantially rectangular shapes arranged. The reinforcement
main body portion 20 and the extended main body portion 31 achieve
an even higher effect of preventing the cross section from
deforming to be in a diamond shape due to force in the vehicle
width direction acting on the side sill 15. The term orthogonal
described above indicates an arrangement in which the partitioning
plate portion 135 and the linear member including the reinforcement
main body portion 20 and the extended main body portion 31 cross
each other with a crossing angle of about 80 to 100.degree., and is
not limited to the arrangement of the members crossing each other
with the crossing angle of 90.degree..
[0073] As a result of the above, the damping member 4 is disposed
at a position to be able to exert the vibration damping effect
sufficiently. Specifically, the partitioning plate portion 135 has
the end portions (the front end edge 135F and the rear end edge
135B) in the closed cross-sectional portion of the side sill 15,
and thus the end portions are portions that are likely to deform by
the vibrations. The flange portion 22 is joined to the vicinity of
such an end portion of the partitioning plate portion 135 so that
the damping member 4 can receive relatively large distortion
stress, whereby a higher vibration damping effect can be
achieved.
[0074] Furthermore, the portion where the linear member, including
the reinforcement main body portion 20 and the extended main body
portion 31, and the partitioning plate portion 135 cross each other
is designed to increase the difference in the rigidity from the
damping member 4. The bulkhead 2 has the flange portion 22 formed
by bending the end edge portion of the reinforcement main body
portion 20. The raised ridge portion 26 (high rigidity portion),
for reinforcing the rigidity of the reinforcement main body portion
20, is a step portion obtained with the reinforcement main body
portion 20 deformed to protrude orthogonally from a plane of the
reinforcement main body portion 20. The flange portion 22 is bent
in a direction toward the rear (front in the case of the bulkhead 2
on the rear side), and the raised ridge portion 26 protrudes also
in the direction toward the rear (front in the case of the bulkhead
2 on the rear side). Thus, the members are orientated in the same
direction.
[0075] Thus, an area with a gate-shaped cross-sectional shape, as
indicated by a dotted line form denoted with a reference numeral L2
in FIG. 12, is formed by the flange portion 22 and the linear
portion 27 as a part of the raised ridge portion 26 as well as the
reinforcement main body portion 20 therebetween. Thus, an even
higher rigidity is achieved in an area adjacent to the damping
member 4, whereby a large difference between the damping member 4
and the bulkhead 2 in the rigidity is achieved. All things
considered, the distortion stress generated by the vibrations of
the vehicle can be concentrated on the damping member 4, whereby an
even higher vibration damping effect can be achieved with the
damping member 4.
[0076] [Description on Modification]
[0077] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment
described above, and the following modification of the present
invention can be employed.
[0078] (1) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling portion
between the side sill 15 and the center pillar 13 according to a
modification, in the vehicle width direction. In the example
described in the embodiment, the bulkhead 2 is disposed between the
side sill inner 152 and the partitioning plate portion 135, and the
extended portion 3 extends toward the side sill outer reinforcer
151. In an example of the modification illustrated in FIG. 13, the
extended portion 3 extends toward the side sill inner 152.
[0079] The bulkhead 2 is disposed between the side sill outer
reinforcer 151 and the partitioning plate portion 135, and the
joining portion 21 thereof forms the rigid coupling portion 3A with
the side sill outer reinforcer 151. The modification is the same as
the embodiment described above in that the flange portion 22 forms
the flexible coupling portion 2B with the partitioning plate
portion 135. The extended portion 3 has the extended main body
portion 31 extending from the front end edge 135F to the side sill
inner 152, and has the extended joining portion 32 forming the
rigid coupling portion 3A with the side sill inner 152. In the
modification, the side sill outer reinforcer 151 and the side sill
inner 152 respectively correspond to a first panel and a second
panel in the claims. This modification can provide the advantageous
effect that is the same as that in the embodiment.
[0080] (2) In the example described in the embodiment, the extended
portion 3 has the extended joining portion 32 forming the rigid
coupling portion 3A with the side sill outer reinforcer 151.
Alternatively, the extended joining portion 32 may form the
flexible coupling portion. In such a case, the damping member 4 is
provided between the extended joining portion 32 and the side sill
outer reinforcer 151. In this modification, the damping member 4 is
disposed not only between the flange portion 22 of the bulkhead 2
and the partitioning plate portion 135 but is also provided between
the extended joining portion 32 and the side sill outer reinforcer
151, whereby a higher vibration damping effect can be achieved.
[0081] (3) In the example described in the embodiment, the body
structure according to the present invention is applied to the
coupling portion J between the side sill 15 and the center pillar
13. This is merely an example, and the present invention may be
applied to a coupling portion between the side sill 15 and the
front pillar 12, for example. Furthermore, the present invention
can be widely applied to a portion having a partitioned closed
section structure including: two panels (frames) forming a closed
section and extending in the predetermined direction; and a
partitioning panel disposed in the closed section and extending in
the predetermined direction.
[0082] In a final section described below, the characteristic
configurations disclosed in the embodiment, and advantageous
effects based on the configurations are summarized.
[0083] A body structure of a vehicle according to the embodiment
includes a first panel and a second panel that form a closed
cross-sectional portion extending in a predetermined direction, a
partitioning panel that partitions the closed cross-sectional
portion and extends in the predetermined direction, and a
reinforcement member that is disposed between the first panel and
the partitioning panel in the closed cross-sectional portion, and
includes a panel joining portion joined to the first panel, and a
flange portion joined to the partitioning panel. A joining portion
formed by the reinforcement member includes a rigid coupling
portion in which the first panel and the panel joining portion are
coupled to each other while being in contact with each other, and a
flexible coupling portion in which the partitioning panel and the
flange portion are coupled to each other, with a damping member
being provided therebetween. The partitioning panel includes an
extended portion that extends from a vicinity of the flexible
coupling portion toward the second panel and is joined to the
second panel.
[0084] In this body structure, the reinforcement member is provided
between the first panel and the partitioning panel, and the
extended portion, extending from the partitioning panel, is
provided between the partitioning panel and the second panel. Thus,
the deformation resistance of the closed cross-sectional portion
can be improved by the reinforcement member and the extended
portion. The reinforcement member forms the rigid coupling portion
with the first panel, and forms the soft coupling portion with the
partitioning panel. Thus, the damping member disposed in the
flexible coupling portion can effectively damp the vibration of the
vehicle body.
[0085] In the body structure, preferably, a joining portion formed
by the extended portion together with the second panel is a rigid
coupling portion in which a part of the extended portion and the
second panel are coupled to each other while being in contact with
each other.
[0086] The extended portion is a portion extending from the
partitioning panel, and substantially forms the rigid coupling
portion with the partitioning panel. In the body structure, a part
of the extended portion forms the rigid coupling portion with the
second panel. Thus, the stress generated by vibration of the
vehicle is concentrated on the flexible coupling portion that is
deformable, whereby the vibration is effectively damped by the
damping member.
[0087] In the body structure, preferably, the partitioning panel
has an end portion in the predetermined direction, the flange
portion is joined to the partitioning panel near the end portion,
and the extended portion includes an extended main body portion
extending from the end portion toward the second panel, and an
extended joining portion that is formed at an end edge of the
extended main body portion and is joined to the second panel.
[0088] When the partitioning panel has an end portion in the closed
cross-sectional portion, the end portion is a portion where
deformation based on the vibration is likely to occur. In the body
structure, the flange portion is joined to the vicinity of such an
end portion of the partitioning panel, and thus the damping member
can receive relatively large distortion stress, whereby a higher
vibration damping effect can be obtained. The extended portion
includes: the extended main body portion extending from the end
portion toward the second panel; and the extended joining portion
at the end edge thereof. Thus, there is an advantage that the
extended portion can be integrally formed with the partitioning
plate portion easily, through a simple bending process and the like
on the partitioning plate portion.
[0089] In the body structure, preferably, the extended main body
portion has a flat-plate shape, the reinforcement member includes a
reinforcement main body portion having a flat-plate shape that
extends between the panel joining portion and the flange portion,
and the reinforcement member and the extended portion are arranged
in such a manner that the extended main body portion and the
reinforcement main body portion are linearly arranged between the
first panel and the second panel.
[0090] In the body structure, the extended main body portion and
the reinforcement main body portion are linearly arranged, whereby
a higher mechanical strength in the direction in which the first
panel and the second panel of the closed cross-sectional portion
approach each other can be achieved. Thus, even higher deformation
resistance of the closed cross-sectional portion can be achieved
while providing the vibration damping effect.
[0091] In this case, the mechanical strength can further be
increased with the extended main body portion and the reinforcement
main body portion extending orthogonal to the partitioning
panel.
[0092] In the body structure, preferably, the first panel is a side
sill inner, the second panel is a side sill outer reinforcer, and
the partitioning panel is a center pillar inner, and the extended
portion is joined to the side sill outer reinforcer.
[0093] As described above, the coupling portion between the center
pillar and the side sill is likely to be largely deformed by the
vibration of the vehicle, and involves a higher requirement for a
resistance against external force. Thus, the body structure
according to the present invention is suitably applied.
[0094] According to the present invention described above, a body
structure of vehicle can be provided with which a closed
cross-sectional portion can be prevented from deforming and a
damping member can effectively provide a vibration damping
function, in a vehicle-body portion with a partitioned closed
section structure. Thus, the closed cross-sectional portion can
have a higher strength and a riding comfort of a vehicle can be
improved.
* * * * *